Flavorings are defined as “products added to food in order to impart or modify odor and/or taste of food.” They are not meant to be consumed separately and typically are used in small amounts.

The new legislation breaks up flavorings into six categories:

Flavoring substances

Flavoring preparations

Thermal process flavors

Smoke flavorings

Flavor precursors

Other flavorings

Substances not on the list will be prohibited following a “phasing-out” period. Flavorings in the process of being evaluated will be allowed to remain on the market until the process is complete, according to the memo.

Authorized flavorings may come from a food or non-food source. Both will require evaluation and approval. The full list of approved flavorings will be published online this week, according to the memo.